Protect Your Trees: Understanding and Solving Tree Girdling

Tree girdling might not be a term you hear every day, but if you’re a gardener or homeowner, it’s an issue you should know about. Left unchecked, girdling can severely damage or even kill otherwise healthy trees. The good news? With timely intervention and proper care, you can save your trees and prevent future problems.

This blog will walk you through everything you need to know about tree girdling. We’ll cover its causes, effects, how to identify it, and, most importantly, how to solve and prevent it. Let’s get started on protecting your trees and ensuring they thrive.

Call 317-783-2518 For Local Tree Service Company in Indianapolis
Call 317-783-2518 For Local Tree Service Company in Indianapolis

What Is Tree Girdling?

Tree girdling occurs when something—be it overgrown roots, man-made objects, or animal activity—creates a constriction around the tree’s trunk or around its roots, restricting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients between the roots and the canopy. This damage disrupts the tree’s vascular system and can lead to severe health issues or death if not addressed.

Picture a tightly wrapped string cutting into the bark of a growing tree. Over time, this “stranglehold” prevents the tree from growing properly, making it weaker and more vulnerable to disease and environmental stressors. While the concept is simple, its consequences are dire.

Common Causes of Tree Girdling

Knowing the root cause of girdling is the first step to solving and preventing it. Here are the most common culprits:

1. Improper Planting Techniques

Planting a tree too deeply or failing to spread its roots evenly when planting can cause roots to circle around the trunk, eventually leading to girdling roots that restrict essential growth.

2. Landscape Materials

Objects such as stakes, wire, ties, or tree guards left in place for too long can eventually dig into the tree’s outer layers, causing girdling as the tree grows around them.

3. Natural Root Growth

Some tree species, like maples or lindens, naturally develop circling roots if their growth is restricted by hard soil, compact spaces, or shallow planting areas.

4. Animal Activity

Small animals, such as rodents or rabbits, can chew through bark at the base of a tree, thus creating a severed “belt-like” damage that ultimately disrupts nutrient transport.

5. Damage from Lawn Equipment

Repeatedly hitting a tree’s bark with lawnmowers or string trimmers might not seem like a big deal initially, but over time, this damage can mimic the effects of traditional girdling.

Effects of Girdling on Trees

You might be wondering, “How much damage can a little girdling really cause?” Unfortunately, the effects are far-reaching and devastating for a tree’s health:

  • Restricted Growth: Since girdling cuts off the flow of water, oxygen, and nutrients between the roots and leaves, the tree may experience stunted or uneven growth.
  • Weakened Stability: Over time, a girdled tree’s structural integrity weakens, increasing its vulnerability to strong winds, heavy snowfall, or other environmental stressors.
  • Susceptibility to Disease and Pests: Trees weakened by girdling are more prone to infections, fungal growth, and pest infestations.
  • Eventual Tree Death: Without intervention, girdling can completely sever the transport system within the tree, leading to its slow decline and ultimate death.

How to Identify Girdling in Trees

Spotting girdling early can make all the difference in saving a tree. Here’s what to look for:

  • Visible Root Circling: Check the base of the tree for roots wrapping around the trunk or cutting into the bark.
  • Indented Bark: Look for signs of growth deformities or indents where stakes, wires, or other materials may be cutting into the tree.
  • Thinning Canopy: A tree with a thinner-than-usual canopy or sparse leaves can indicate that it’s struggling to transport nutrients effectively.
  • Overall Weakness: Girdled trees might lean, have a smaller trunk diameter, or take on a weaker appearance compared to non-girdled trees of the same species.

Regular inspections of your trees—especially young ones or those freshly planted—can help you catch girdling before it becomes a bigger problem.

Tree Girdling Solutions

If you’ve identified girdling in one of your trees, don’t worry—it isn’t necessarily a death sentence. Depending on the severity of the issue, the following solutions can help save your girdled tree:

Address Girdling Roots

For girdling caused by roots, carefully remove the soil around the affected area and use a sharp, sterilized tool to cut away the girdling root. Be sure not to damage other nearby roots in the process.

Remove Constricting Materials

If the girdling is caused by wires, stakes, or ties, remove them immediately to allow the tree to resume normal growth. If the tree has grown around these materials, you may need professional assistance to remove them safely.

Grafting

For extreme cases where girdling severely cuts off nutrient flow, bridge grafting (a process where healthy branches or stems are used to bypass the damaged area) can help restore the tree’s vascular system. This solution is best done by a trained arborist.

Bark Repair

For girdling caused by animals or lawn equipment, cover the damaged area with a protective tree wrap or wound sealant to prevent further damage or infection.

Preventing Future Girdling

While solutions exist for girdling, prevention is always the best course of action. Follow these best practices to ensure your trees stay healthy:

  • Plant Properly: Plant trees at the appropriate depth with well-spread roots to prevent future issues. Avoid compacted soil.
  • Inspect Regularly: Check newly planted trees for signs of girdling at least once a year.
  • Use Loose Ties: If you’re staking young trees, use loose ties, and remove them after one to two years when the tree has established itself.
  • Protect Against Animals: Install tree guards or fences to prevent chewing damage from rodents, rabbits, or deer.
  • Mow with Care: Avoid hitting the base of trees with mowers or trimmers. Keep a ring of mulch around the tree to protect its base.

Final Thoughts

Tree girdling is a silent but serious issue that can wreak havoc on the trees in your garden or yard. By understanding its causes, effects, and solutions, you can take the necessary steps to save your trees and prevent future issues.

Healthy trees mean a thriving garden and an inviting home landscape. Take some time to inspect your trees today—and if you’re unsure about what to do next, consult with a local arborist or landscape expert for guidance. Protect your trees, and they’ll reward you with beauty, shade, and fresh air for decades to come.

Are you looking for professional tree care service near the Indy areas? Contact Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for licensed and insured tree services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients with comprehensive tree care solutions.

Related Posts:

Nurturing Trees from Below: A Guide to Critical Root Zone Care
Facts About Stem Girdling Tree Roots
Protecting the Heartland: A Guide to Mid-West Tree Pests

What You Need to Know About Daily Tree Root Care

If you have a newly planted tree, it is important to understand and implement daily root care. Continue reading to learn what you need to know about taking good care of your tree’s roots in order to promote strong, sturdy growth for years to come.

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-783-2518

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-783-2518

Although they are the least visible part, roots are highly important to the overall health and sustainability of a tree. That is because they are responsible for transporting nutrients throughout a tree. The better care you take of your tree’s root system, the better foundation they are able to create for your tree. You may not be able to protect your tree from every type of damage, but there is plenty you can do to promote optimal growth and health with routine root care. And it all starts with the soil.

Daily and Weekly Root Care

Be sure you are regularly watering your newly planted tree. But keep in mind that too much water can be just as harmful as too little. Use your best judgement to determine when and how much water your tree needs. A general rule of thumb is to check the soil for moisture. Healthy soil is moist, not soggy, mushy, or soaked. If the soil is still adequately moist three inches down, the tree does not need a watering. Just be sure you check it every day by digging 3 inches deep with a garden trowel and touching the soil with your fingers.

In addition to checking for soil moisture every day for the purpose of watering, it is also important to inspect the soil conditions to ensure it is health. As mentioned, healthy soil is moist, not soggy. For the first few months, it is wise to assess the soil’s moisture levels to confirm it is still conducive to healthy root growth. Do this by locating the tree’s dripline, digging a small hole, and inspecting the malleability of the soil. Read our blog, “How to Measure a Tree’s Critical Root Zone”, for help locating your tree’s drip line. If the soil can be formed into a ball, it is healthy.

Seasonal Root Care

At least one time a year, you should manually cultivate the soil beneath your tree. You can accomplish this with ease by using a standard hand cultivator to cautiously loosen the top 2 to 3 inches of soil. This eases compaction, thus allowing water and air to reach the roots. Soil compaction is one of the most common causes for tree decline.

Furthermore, it is important to apply a new layer of mulch to the base of your trees right before every spring season. Mulch is incredibly important to root care for many reasons. Not only does it protect against sun scorch and excessive heat that dehydrates soil, it also acts as a barrier to physically protect exposed roots. Additionally, mulch adds valuable organic matter to the soil. Just be sure to not exceed 2 to 4 inches of mulch, and keep it 6 inches away from the trunk of the tree.

Professional Tree Care You Can Trust

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for Indianapolis tree service you can trust. We are licensed and insured tree care contractors who serve both residential and commercial properties with a wide range of professional tree care services, including stump removal, lot clearing, storm damage clearance, and more. Request an estimate, today.

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-783-2518

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-783-2518